![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/sugar-200x300.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
A new inclusive study published by the British Medical Journal investigated the link between sugar consumption and the effects it has on weight gain.\u00a0 The conclusion of the study found that weight loss could be achieved simply by reducing one\u2019s daily sugar intake.<\/p>\n
“Some research suggests that sugary drinks make it harder for us to regulate the overall amount of calories eaten and a regular intake may be a factor contributing to obesity in children,\u201d according to the British Diabetic Association.<\/p>\n
Refined sugars and other highly processed carbohydrates are known spike insulin levels that are associated with type 2 diabetes as well as more difficult weight control.\u00a0 The findings also suggested that the taste of sugar promotes further overconsumption thus further complicating its effects.<\/p>\n
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that added sugar intake should be limited to a maximum of 10% of total energy intake.\u00a0 Natural carbohydrates that are found in fruits and vegetables should make up the vast majority of the requirement.<\/p>\n
Sugar is also associated with inflammation in the body, tooth decay and many other nutrient deficiencies.\u00a0 The inflammatory link is the suggested connection to health conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and even certain types of cancer.<\/p>\n
Are sugars addictive?<\/strong><\/p>\n Robert Lustig, a professor of pediatrics at the University of California and a well-known dietary sugar researcher believes that sugar is addictive despite counter claims by sugar lobbyists.<\/p>\n “There are five tastes on your tongue: sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami\u201d, he explains. “Sugar covers up the other four, so you can’t taste the negative aspects of foods. You can make dog poop taste good with enough sugar.”<\/p>\n Dr Alex Richardson, a senior research fellow at the University of Oxford and director of the UK charity Food and Behavior Research, agrees with Lustig.\u00a0 He says that there is too much sugar and processed carbohydrates in our food system.<\/p>\n “We find that highly processed foods are making up massively more of children’s diets. Things like cakes, biscuits, snacks and crisps.\u201d<\/p>\n “Fruit and vegetables are so vital for children. They provide essential vitamins and minerals, but so often a third of a plate of child’s food is sugary rubbish and a small amount is veg or fruit,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n Finding hidden sugars<\/strong><\/p>\n The vast majority of sugar that is consumed is hidden in different forms to confuse the consumer.\u00a0 The devastating effects of sugar are becoming well known and manufacturers are devising new ways of diverting one\u2019s attention away from the sugar content.<\/p>\n Sugar can be listed under other names such as sucrose, glucose, fructose and maltose on the food label.\u00a0 These are the chemical names of the different forms of sugar but require the consumer to know that information.<\/p>\n The marketing of processed food items revolve around added, removed or fortified nutrient claims.\u00a0 \u201cNo Cholesterol\u201d, \u201cLow Fat\u201d and \u201cNo Sugar Added\u201d are common claimto facilitate a sale versus health.<\/p>\n The leading stream of sugar consumed is found in soda. Many brands of soda contain approximately 28 g of sugar per 8 oz. serving and contain caffeine that is a known diuretic.\u00a0 Diuretics can dehydrate the body and contribute to inflammation in the body.<\/p>\n Refined sugars and processed foods are not a sign of prosperity; it\u2019s a sign of large medical bills in the future.\u00a0 Cut the sweets, don\u2019t drink sugar-laced products and add plenty natural fruits and vegetables.<\/p>\n Dr. Cory Couillard is an international healthcare speaker and columnist for numerous newspapers, magazines, websites and publications throughout the world. He works in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s goals of disease prevention and global healthcare education. Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A new inclusive study published by the British Medical Journal investigated the link between sugar consumption and the effects it has on weight gain.\u00a0 The conclusion of the study found that weight loss could be achieved simply by reducing one\u2019s…","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":84702,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-84701","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n